One of the questions on all grey nomads’ lips is ‘when will state borders fully re-open?‘ … and it seems they are not the only ones getting impatient.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said she opposes the border closures and wants travel restrictions scrapped.
However, she concedes that it is matter for the other state and territory leaders to decide.
“I’d probably feel offended if they told me how to do my job,” she said. “But I often joke with the Queensland Premier that I’ll end up going to Auckland before I go to Brisbane if we continue the way we are going.”
Ms Berejiklian told the ABC that she hoped that if New South Wales continued to demonstrate strong infection control other states would be comfortable easing border restrictions.
The NSW Tourism Minister, Stuart Ayres, has also thrown his weight behind an easing of travel restrictions.
“I think now is the perfect opportunity for states to start indicating that their borders will start to reopen,” he said. “It’s the right time for businesses and citizens to start planning for travel.”
Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Western Australia closed their borders in March.
The ABC reports that Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will not assess border policies until around July 10 … but only if transmission remained low in NSW and Victoria.
In WA, Premier Mark McGowan has rejected calls to drop the restrictions until eastern states return a ‘virtually zero’ transmission rate.
The NT will not lift its border restrictions until SA, WA and Queensland do.
The SA Government will not discuss easing border restrictions before June 8.
In Tasmania, there are no plans to lift border controls even after July 13.
Since the pandemic began, Australia has recorded about 7,000 coronavirus cases, more than 3,000 of which are in New South Wales.
No no no keep the borders closed We are safer that way
End of June or mid July.
Sick of the “pissing” competition between the State Premiers. Another good reason to get rid of State Governments.
You are so right, all the premiers are just trying to prove they are the ‘ strongest’ . The economic and social cost to our community is enormous, but whilever these state heads are playing this power game it will continue.
Mid june
we should be permitted to travel around our own state which is not happening until mid july before boarders are open
Jennifer, it is a shame that you do not mention the state that you are in and that way i might be able to comment on the reason why they don’t want you to travel just yet. In W.A. we are about to have a couple of changes to where we can travel .. I called and talked to a park manager and asked about supplies in their town and whether we needed to stock up before leaving ..Our state has closed certain areas and when you get over that it’s not all about you and have a look at the reason that they cannot extend their hospitality… My question to people that cannot travel where ever they want..” If someone told you that the town ahead was confirmed of having had the virus, would you go there?” Tour operators are going to have enough problems getting you to sit alongside some one you don’t know..
It would be good to firstly be able to travel the State where you live, like the SA model.
I live in Busselton WA and on Monday 18th May 2020 we will be able to travel to Perth Metro and out into the Wheatbelt.
The travel restrictions here in WA have been accepted by most even though some businesses are suffering and will be for some time. if a second expected wave of Covid 19 hits along with influenza, we could be in trouble. Don’t be too harsh on our Governments; they are doing their best with an invisible enemy, and I forgot, the visible enemy CCP.
I find it really strange to hear the Premier of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian stating she wants the border controls scrapped and “that if New South Wales continued to demonstrate strong infection control other states would be comfortable easing border restrictions”
I think she is delusional if her State had strong infection control then we wouldn’t be in half the mess we are today…The State with the most cases/most deaths and certainly given the flagrant breaching of social isolation, I would say the most idiots/morons who are self centred and only think of themselves, without any thought about the rest of the community let alone the rest of Australians. The world or should I say Australia does not revolve around NSW or its Premier.
Well said. Agree 100%.
totally agree.
W.A. has a strong Premier that taking no bullshit. Not like some other states that flap around when the chips are down. And if you don’t like it to bad.
Ok take this for what its worth, but I think the numbers are the most relevant details in dealing with this virus in Australia, and when you compare our numbers with the rest of the world we are far ahead of everyone else. We should remember that international borders are the main concerns for us and that our state borders are our way out of this virus, Firstly lets all understand that whilst initially being as cautious as we have been is probably well founded however, I think we have well and truly passed that stage. If all the doomsayers out there think that we are going to instantly find a sudden vaccine for this virus then unfortunately you are delusional, Facts, there is no vaccine for Spanish flu, there is no vaccine for SARS, there is no vaccine for Zika virus, what I am saying is for the majority of the world virus’s that have been introduced into the world over the past 500 years there are no vaccines, that’s right NO VACCINES. Therefore, for anyone to think that we need to keep the borders closed until we find a vaccine then you are going to be waiting a long time. Every year in Australia we vaccinate against the flu and every year in Australia we lose many people to the flu and as unfortunate as that is we cannot stop our way of living or lock ourselves away because this occurs. It is time to open the borders continue with the message of safe distancing and other hygiene factors and get on with life before we end up losing many more people to suicide and mental health issues. Just my thoughts.
Shane you just saved me a lot of typing, thank you.
Yours may be a voice in the wilderness at present but I hear you. And couldn’t agree more.
Well said Shane, common sense and thoughtful action once on the move with social distancing
Although I’m allowed travel around SA I’m just hanging out till I can get to Qld. – hopefully Jne/Jly. SA in winter isn’t where I want to be.
I hear you Dianne, Victoria is no better.
Thanks Shane for the Gust of fresh air.
Been reading medical reports out of USA , masses of propaganda mostly is all the media has.. is called suppression to control.